Director

Happy birthday, Dr King!

There are many ways to uplift the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other servant leaders of the Civil Rights Movement as we celebrate this annual day on, not a day off. Below are a few activities from our extended Wildflower community and friends to get involved in this week. (You can also read the Austin Statesman for additional activities and volunteer service projects in our region. Or watch programming from The King Center in Atlanta on YouTube or other platforms.)


Thursday, January 16th, 9 am to 12 pm
Resist! Pre-Inauguration Kingian Nonviolence Workshop

Join Nonviolent Austin for a Kingian Nonviolence workshop to honor MLK’s birth & meet the moment of the upcoming presidential inauguration. Thursday, January 16 · 9am – 12pm CST. Doors at 8:45am at the Carver Library

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resist-pre-inauguration-kingian-nonviolence-workshop-tickets-1120990214909


Thursday, January 16, 7 PM
TXUUJM Action Hour on Zoom

Join Texas UU Justice Ministry as we take action every week, over Zoom, as a community. We check-in and connect with folks around the state as we make calls to elected officials, write letters to the editor, send emails of appreciate to justice partners, and more. https://txuujm.org/


Sunday, January 19th, 11: 45 am MLK Worship Service at Wildflower

“Revolutionary Dreams” sermon by Simone Monique Barnes. Drawing inspiration from some of the music, poetry, and speeches of the civil rights movement and the liberation era, we’ll think about one of the most revolutionary prophetic dreams of all: normal life.

After the Sunday worship service, spend some time in Beloved Community by engaging in conversations and other moments of connection over popcorn and coffee in the Community Room, as we celebrate the life and legacy of Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, and other servant leaders of the civil rights movement and beyond. Encourage a friend or neighbor who needs community this weekend to join us for the service at 11:45 am, or for coffee in the community room from 1 pm


Monday, January 20th MLK March and Festival, 9:30 am to 4 pm

The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. All are invited to march and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.

The MLK Community March kicks off on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. on the south steps of the State Capitol for a rally.

At the conclusion of the program we will march to Huston-Tillotson University for the MLK Festival, from 11am to 4 pm.

The family friendly festival includes vendors and local musical artists to make this year’s celebration the best ever! Come prepared to have a great time. Marchers are asked to help by bringing can goods or non-perishable food items which will be donated to the Central Texas Food Bank. See the march and festival webpage for guidelines on what to donate. https://mlkcelebration.com/celebration-events/march-and-festival/

Interested in volunteering at the march or festival? Sign up here: https://mlkcelebration.com/volunteer-information/


Monday, January 20th, 2-4PM BRAVE Communities Connection

“MLK’s Dream in Action”. This family-friendly event is a chance for all of us to embody MLK’s values and vision of a beloved community through community conversations, community service, and meaningful connections.

This free event is open to all, but pre-registration is required. Let’s honor Dr. King’s dream by coming together to create the beloved community he envisioned—a community where everyone belongs, and justice and love prevail. Rozco’s Comedy Club, 1805 E 7th St, Austin TX 78702

(Note: The event venue is a very short walk from MLK Festival held at Huston-Tillotson.)

Join in a Beloved drum circle to welcome the Winter Solstice. All levels are welcome. Bring a drum or other percussion instrument (we’ll also have some available for use). Sunday, December 22, 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm, in the Wildflower Community Room.

Wildflowers, let’s meet up at this community event in Central Austin, on Saturday, December 21, 6 pm – 7 pm (meet at the Treehouse at 5:30 pm, in Pease Park). Gather just after sunset and bring your solstice lanterns (no flames!) and lights as we walk (roll or stroll) in the parade. Bonus: we’ll see Malin, Pease Park’s troll sculpture, along the parade route. Note: Wildflowers are attending this free, family-friendly, public event hosted by Minor Mishap Marching Band. It is an outdoor, mobile procession, on ADA-compliant paths. We encourage attendees to process along the participatory parade route with the group, but of course, there is always to option to sit or stand and watch.

Location information from Minor Mishap’s website:

Minor Mishap’s Winter Solstice Lantern Parade!
Saturday, December 21st gather 5:30pm, Parade 6-7pm
Parade starts at “The Treehouse” in Pease Park
Free Show! | Family Friendly! | Outdoors!
This is an outdoor, mobile procession, on gravel paths
Please no fire or littering
Please join us on the longest night of the year to celebrate community, light, and music with Minor Mishap’s Winter Solstice Lantern Parade!
Parking Recommendation: parking near Pease Park is quite limited. If you are able to walk a bit, we recommend parking at the Austin Recreation Center, 1301 1/2 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX 78701. There’s a nice trail that goes to Pease Park that allows you to walk UNDER Lamar (see map below):


Sunday, December 15, 1:30 pm to 4 pm – Solstice Lantern Making, in the Wildflower Community Room

Drop-in anytime between 1:30 pm to 4 pm to make a solstice lantern from paper art supplies, or bring an item to upcycle, such as a plastic soda bottle or a found object like a small tree branch, and shape your own solstice lantern to take home.

You bring the creativity, we’ll supply the lights and some basic art supplies.

Optional: bring your lantern to the Solstice Parade the following weekend, held on Saturday, December 21, 6 pm – 7 pm, in Pease Park. Gather just after sunset and solstice lanterns of various shapes and styles are encouraged (no flames!) as we walk (or roll or stroll) together in the parade. Bonus: we’ll see Malin, Pease Park’s troll sculpture, along the parade route. Note: Wildflowers are attending this free, family-friendly, public event hosted by Minor Mishap Marching Band. It is an outdoor, mobile procession, on ADA-compliant paths. We encourage attendees to process along the participatory parade route with the group, but of course, there is always to option to sit or stand and watch.


Here are a few idea to spark your lantern making inspiration:

December is a special time in our congregation. Whether you’re looking for spiritual enrichment, a sense of community, a place to hold your joys and concerns, or simply some festive fun, there’s something for everyone. We invite everyone to participate in our diverse offerings, fostering connections and creating cherished memories. Whether you are a long-time member, a friend, or a first-time visitor, you are welcome to join us this season.

December Worship Services Theme: Many Lights

Wildflower’s blended services offer the opportunity to attend either in-person or on Zoom (Zoom link is posted on our website’s home page). 2nd Sundays and 5th Sundays, worship is Zoom only.

  • Sunday, December 1, 11:45 am, blended service – “This Little Light of Mine” — Simone Monique Barnes, Director of Membership and Spiritual Life (Pluralism and Interdependence)
  • Sunday, December 8, 11:45 am, Zoom only service – “The Peace of Defiance” – Rev. Carrie Holley-Hurt, guest worship leader
  • Sunday, December 15, 11:45 am, blended service – Bis Thornton, Chaplain. Special musical guest cellist. (Advent)
  • Sunday, December 22, 11:45 am, blended service – Simone Monique Barnes, Director of Membership and Spiritual Life. Special musical guest cellist. (Solstice)
  • Sunday, December 29, 11:45 am, Zoom only service – Susie Epstein, lay worship leader (Hannukah)
  • Sunday, January 5, 11:45 am, blended service – Fire Communion – lay led service

Community Gatherings for All Ages

  • Saturday, December 7, 1 pm – 3 pm – Crafternoon, in the Wildflower Community Room- bring your favorite arts and craft supplies, or use ours.
  • Sunday, December 15, 1:30 pm to 4 pm – Solstice Lantern Making, in the Wildflower Community Room – Drop-in to make a solstice lantern from paper art supplies, or bring an item to upcycle, such as a plastic soda bottle or a found object like a small tree branch, and shape your own solstice lantern to take home. Or bring it to the Solstice Parade the following weekend.
  • Saturday, December 21, 6 pm – 7 pm (meet at the Treehouse in Pease Park at 5:30 pm) – Annual Solstice Parade — Gather just after sunset and bring your solstice lanterns (no flames!) and lights as we walk, roll, or stroll in the parade. Bonus: we’ll see Malin, Pease Park’s troll sculpture, along the parade route. Note: Wildflowers are attending this free, family-friendly, public event hosted by Minor Mishap Marching Band. It is an outdoor, mobile procession, on ADA-compliant paths. We encourage attendees to process along the participatory parade route with the group, but of course, there is always to option to sit or stand and watch.
  • Sunday, December 22, 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm Drum Circle, in the Wildflower Community Room. Join in a Beloved drum circle to welcome the Winter Solstice. All levels are welcome. Bring a drum or other percussion instrument (we’ll also have some available for use).

Congregational Meeting

  • Sunday, December 8, 1:30 pm CDT on Zoom

Reverend Jami Yandle, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Transgender Support Specialist, offers a heartfelt message of love, resilience, and affirmation. As we honor our trans kin who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence, this video creates a space for reflection, care, and celebrating the sacredness of trans lives.

May this message bring comfort, strength, and hope. You are sacred. You are loved.

Transgender and nonbinary people seeking support and resources can visit UPLIFT at www.uua.org/lgbtq/transnb to find guidance, affirmation, and tools for connection.

You can also get in touch with Wildflower’s Care Team, including our Chaplain Bis Thornton, in two ways:

Click on this page or email careteam@wildflowerchurch.org

Image Description: UUA rainbow chalice next to the word UPLIFT in rainbow colors. Underneath, text reads, “Uplifting the LGBTQ+ Experience within Unitarian Universalism & Beyond.”